Katie Dear- Louvin Brothers (AL) 1956 REC
[From the recording, Tragic Songs Of Life, Louvin Brothers; 1956.
The Louvin Brothers were Ira Lonnie Loudermilk (1924–1965) and Charlie Elzer Loudermilk (1927–2011). This is likely a cover of the Blue Sky Boys version. Only a few minor changes were made--the "golden dagger" at the end is one.
R. Matteson 2016]
KATIE DEAR- from Louvin Brothers, 1956.
[mandolin intro]
Oh Katie dear, go ask your mother
If you can be a bride of mine;
If she says, "Yes," come back and tell me
If she says "No," we'll run away.
Oh Willie dear, there's no use in askin',
She's in her room a-takin' a rest
And by her side is a silver dagger
To slay the one that I love best.
[steel guitar fill]
Oh Katie dear, go ask your father
If you can be a bride of mine;
If he says, "Yes," come back and tell me
If he says "No," we'll run away.
Oh Willie dear, there's no use in askin'
For he's in his room a-takin' a rest,
And by his side there's a golden dagger
To slay the one that I love best.
Then he picked up this golden dagger
And stove it through his troubled heart;
Saying, "Goodbye Katie, goodbye darlin'
At last the time has come to part."
Then she picked up this bloody dagger
And stove it through her lily-white breast
Saying, "Goodbye papa, goodbye mama,
I'll die for the one that I love best."